Three big titles come to us on today’s Fresh Games list — a big update for Street Fighter IV, which might be the best-looking game on the iPhone ever, a Star Wars augmented reality game, and LEGO’s take on Harry Potter’s early years at Hogwarts. Fellow nerds rejoice: we’ve got all your bases covered. Take a look below.
Street Fighter IV update (iPhone) $9.99
Already one of the most impressive games on the iPhone, Street Fighter IV just got an update that adds two new characters to the iPhone version of Capcom’s iconic fighting game, as well as new costumes that can be downloaded as premium content for two other characters.
If you haven’t seen Street Fighter IV in action, you need to. The game carries with it some of the iPhone’s best graphics, and a virtual control scheme which faithfully recreates the console and arcade fighting game experience. The price is a little high, but Street Fighter IV is the kind of iPhone game that can blow you away. If there’s an app that’s worth 10 bucks, this is it.
Star Wars Arcade: Falcon Gunner (iPhone) $4.99
I’ve been excited about this game since I heard about it a few weeks ago. Falcon Gunner lets you recreate the classic Star Wars: A New Hope scene in which Luke and Han climb into the gunner seats of the Millennium Falcon and take on a squadron of TIE fighters. But instead of being a straight turret shooter, this app uses your iPhone’s camera and augmented reality to add attacking TIE fighters to the world around you.
The video the developers of the app took has a player standing on a New York rooftop, spinning around to take on attacking ships, but I think Falcon Gunner would be a lot more fun to play in some less interesting places. Imagine fighters turning toward you for attack runs next to the sink and fridge, or out of the shower, or from around the heads of other riders on the bus. That sounds like a good time.
LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 (iPhone, iPad) $4.99
Fans of the Nintendo DS version of LEGO Harry Potter, which also appears on various consoles, will recognize this iPhone game. It carries almost all the features of the Nintendo portable equivalent for a great price. It’s deep, engaging, and offered just in time for the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 in theaters.
Using swipe and touch controls, players guide LEGO versions of the Harry Potter characters through the events of Harry’s first four years at Hogwarts. The action-adventure game combines elements of customization with various LEGO blocks with some platforming, all with the classic LEGO humor and aesthetic. Harry Potter-loving iPhone gamers would do well to pick up this one — there’s a lot to do in this humorous and interesting take on the wizarding world.
